Adam Steinberger
Introduction
Operational Amplifiers (Op Amps) are a particular type of linear electronic device that
amplify input signals through the use of negative feedback loops. When Op Amps are
connected to capacitors in negative feedback loops, the input signals can either be integrated
or differentiated. This is a direct result of the definitions of current through a capacitor
𝑑𝑣𝑐 𝑡 1 𝑡
𝑖𝑐 𝑡 = 𝐶 and voltage across a capacitor 𝑣𝑐 𝑡 = 𝑣𝑐 0 + 𝐶 0 𝑐
𝑖 𝑥 𝑑𝑥, which hold true
𝑑𝑡
for Kirchhoff’s Laws of Current and Voltage. In this lab, Inverting Integrators and Inverting
Differentiators are used to manipulate triangle wave signals.
Procedure
Analysis
Readings were taken from Mobile Studio Desktop of the integrated and differentiated
signals over a period of 500μs. A screenshot of the resulting graph (see page 3) was taken,
indicating peak to peak values for both time and voltage for both output signals. A simulation of
the circuit was then designed using PSPICE, and a graph (see page 4) of the simulated output
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Mobile Studio Activity #4
Adam Steinberger
signals was created to verify the results from the Mobile Studio readings. The two sets of data
are identical. A simplified expression for the source voltage was used to simplify analysis,
assuming that it is understood that the frequencies of all signals are identical and that the
values change signs every half a period. Integrating and differentiating the source voltage
±4000𝑡 produces output signals of ±2 × 107 𝑡 2 and ±40𝑚𝑉 respectively. Inspection of the data
suggests that these output signals are correct because the integral of a sloped line is a quadratic
and the derivative of a sloped line is a horizontal line. Both equations for output signals are
identical to the experimental data from the procedure and the data from simulation. Slight
differences between all three sets of data are due to small imperfections in the materials used,
static electricity in the air, power consumption by the electrical components in the circuit, and
analytical simplification.
Conclusion
Using capacitors in Op Amp circuits can produce circuits that will integrate and/or
differentiate signals.
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Mobile Studio Activity #4
Adam Steinberger
Data
VS
V1
V2
𝑣𝑠 𝑡 = 2𝑓𝑡 = ±4000𝑡
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Mobile Studio Activity #4
Adam Steinberger
600mV
(5.6281ms, 331.184mV)
400mV
(7.2503ms, 41.175mV)
200mV
0V
-200mV
(7.5003ms, -41.208mV)
-400mV
(5.8641ms, -293.965mV)
-600mV
5.0ms 5.5ms 6.0ms 6.5ms 7.0ms 7.5ms 8.0ms 8.5ms 9.0ms 9.5ms 10.0ms
V(R4:1) V(R3:2) V(R1:1)
Time
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